Ventanas Big Sur, an Alila resort, California
#31
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
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That drive to SB is a long and winding road ....
I would point you back to the Hyatt Highlands south of Carmel. Beautiful rooms and gob-smacking views. Only 140 or so rooms so it is not much of a corporate or business venue.
I would point you back to the Hyatt Highlands south of Carmel. Beautiful rooms and gob-smacking views. Only 140 or so rooms so it is not much of a corporate or business venue.
Last edited by KatW; Feb 19, 2018 at 6:54 pm
#32
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https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cali...ates-only.html
Otherwise you have to drive inland and then go back to the coast. This is very doable but not very scenic.
#33
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
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#34
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Denver
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Funny you mentioned 4S Santa Barbara because I was looking at that too!
I actually will go to a wedding in LA end of May and plan to drive all the way up to Big Sur/Carmel. I haven’t decided if I really wanna do the 6 hour drive so I was looking at 4S Santa Barbara as an alternative but looks like they were affected by the mudslide earlier this year and won’t open till June which doesn’t really work for me
I actually will go to a wedding in LA end of May and plan to drive all the way up to Big Sur/Carmel. I haven’t decided if I really wanna do the 6 hour drive so I was looking at 4S Santa Barbara as an alternative but looks like they were affected by the mudslide earlier this year and won’t open till June which doesn’t really work for me
#35
FSSB is generally an option and I like this Hotel, but I doubt it´s ideally located for you. I visited FSSB, Post Ranch Inn and RC HMB in 2013 and linked the reports.
#36
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monterey plaza hotel is related to bernadus? anyone been to plaza spa recently? a long time ago, they had huge private room(s) for showers, instead of usual luxury chain hotel (FS, RC, etc) standard of small and not locking etc.
re san ysidro ranch, would be odd for website to say cleaning if major damage.
from below seems theyre assessing structural damage, but there are structures.
re san ysidro ranch, would be odd for website to say cleaning if major damage.
from below seems theyre assessing structural damage, but there are structures.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Feb 20, 2018 at 3:06 pm
#37
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,221
Major damage at San Ysidro Ranch
PHOTOS: Famous San Ysidro Ranch majorly damaged in mudslide - KSBY.com | San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Area News
PHOTOS: Famous San Ysidro Ranch majorly damaged in mudslide - KSBY.com | San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Area News
#38
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 127
Thanks all - given the news about the roads in Santa Barbara - we will probably either do a few nights in SF or a few at RC HMB and a few nights at Bernardus.
It seems silly to go north of SF then to drive south, just wish there was another good option below the city!
It seems silly to go north of SF then to drive south, just wish there was another good option below the city!
#39
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While you weren't looking for a city visit, SF is a wonderful city with amazing vistas, parks, and nearby areas of natural beauty. As everyone on the planet knows, I suspect, I highly recommend the StR San Francisco.
You also could push through SF and go up to Napa/Sonoma. It's beautiful up there, and they really could use the business post-fires.
Now that Ventana Big Sur allows dogs, we are considering a possible stay...though the rates still are so off-putting. Fortunately, we already know how wonderful (and relatively quite reasonable) the Bernardus Lodge is.
#40
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Location: Denver
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Agreed. Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches that Mother Nature hands you.
While you weren't looking for a city visit, SF is a wonderful city with amazing vistas, parks, and nearby areas of natural beauty. As everyone on the planet knows, I suspect, I highly recommend the StR San Francisco.
You also could push through SF and go up to Napa/Sonoma. It's beautiful up there, and they really could use the business post-fires.
Now that Ventana Big Sur allows dogs, we are considering a possible stay...though the rates still are so off-putting. Fortunately, we already know how wonderful (and relatively quite reasonable) the Bernardus Lodge is.
While you weren't looking for a city visit, SF is a wonderful city with amazing vistas, parks, and nearby areas of natural beauty. As everyone on the planet knows, I suspect, I highly recommend the StR San Francisco.
You also could push through SF and go up to Napa/Sonoma. It's beautiful up there, and they really could use the business post-fires.
Now that Ventana Big Sur allows dogs, we are considering a possible stay...though the rates still are so off-putting. Fortunately, we already know how wonderful (and relatively quite reasonable) the Bernardus Lodge is.
#41
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OTOH, the reviews for Ventana Big Sur are pretty discouraging. Especially at the price point they are charging. We won't pay $1500 for poor service and poor food, no matter how nice the view and accommodations might be. Until they get their ship in order and I see more consistently positive reviews, it's going to be a return to Bernardus Lodge for us and our Ridgeback--with a nice drive down the coast to Big Sur. It's only an hour, after all.
#42
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Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,221
FYI, the Half Moon Bay Ritz is very large, and the ethos is corporate, curiously devoid of any sense of place. Also, very golfy. We have not overnighted but, as semi-locals, have stopped in for meals and drinks and to gawp.
#43
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,221
If you do stay in HMB, here are best treats in the area:
HIKE: Purisima Creek Redwoods https://www.openspace.org/preserves/...creek-redwoods
EAT: http://www.duartestavern.com/
HIKE/KAYAK/BIRD: Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve | Coastside State Parks Association
ALSO: San Gregorio State Beach https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=529
HIKE: Purisima Creek Redwoods https://www.openspace.org/preserves/...creek-redwoods
EAT: http://www.duartestavern.com/
HIKE/KAYAK/BIRD: Pescadero Marsh Natural Preserve | Coastside State Parks Association
ALSO: San Gregorio State Beach https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=529
#44
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 127
I know HMB is likely corporate, but struggling to find another place to pair with Bernardus. We've both been to SF a number of times and my wife won't be drinking, so she's not interesting in heading north to Napa (plus - this makes for a lot of driving).
Open to other suggestions though
Open to other suggestions though
#45
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I know HMB is likely corporate, but struggling to find another place to pair with Bernardus. We've both been to SF a number of times and my wife won't be drinking, so she's not interesting in heading north to Napa (plus - this makes for a lot of driving).
Open to other suggestions though
Open to other suggestions though